3 reasons Indiana Hoosiers squeaked by Louisville, 68-67

Robert Phinisee (10) has been invaluable for the Hoosiers this year, IU Insider Zach Osterman writes: "He's been as important to Indiana's 8-2 start as any player other than Romeo Langford or Juwan Morgan."(Photo: Matthew OHaren, Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports)

BLOOMINGTON – Indiana waited more than 31 minutes for its first lead Saturday, battling its bad offense and feisty Louisville.

But for the third-straight game, the Hoosiers found a way in a tight game late, thanks to crucial contributions from freshmen and seniors alike. Here are three reasons why IU pulled off a 68-67 win:

3s wouldn’t fall

Indiana (8-2) hasn’t tried to be a 3-point-heavy team this season, and the Hoosiers are better from behind the arc than they were a season ago. But this offense still needs at least some perimeter threat to find its best stuff, and it couldn’t get any help from behind the arc Saturday. IU finished just 4-of-14 from behind the 3-point line, struggling to really make the arc work in either half. That, coupled with justifiable concerns about Indiana’s size problems against a long, athletic Louisville (6-3) team, contributed to long stretches of offensive inefficiency. Several times in the second half in particular, the Hoosiers managed to bring the lead down to just one possession, but couldn’t find a final push ahead. Louisville made the 3s that stopped Indiana runs. IU missed the ones that could have changed the course of Saturday’s game.

Defense digs in

Despite that hit-and-miss offensive execution, Indiana stuck around because it defended well, especially in the second half. Even as the Hoosiers wasted chances to take the lead for the first time, they dug their heels in defensively, contesting more 3s and making life difficult for Louisville around the rim. And they did that without fouling much, limiting Louisville’s free points. That sturdiness let Indiana work through some of its offensive problems, and finally grab its first lead with less than nine minutes remaining in the second half. The game see-sawed back and forth from that point.

Phinisee unfazed

Archie Miller didn't reserve his praise for the impact of freshman point guard Robert Phinisee after a strong performance in Tuesday's win at Penn State. Phinisee answered his coach's kind words with a pair of critical 3-pointers Saturday afternoon.

The first handed Indiana its first lead of the game. The second more or less iced the game.

Phinisee has gone from pleasant surprise to indispensable man over the course of just a month. That it's been the first month of his college career has made his emergence all the more remarkable. And for a team just now emerging from its injury problems at guard, critically important. He's been as important to Indiana's 8-2 start as any player other than Romeo Langford or Juwan Morgan.